Multi-standard prepaid communication services

ABSTRACT

Calls to or from a prepaid subscriber of a wireless communication network are identified as being associated with prepaid services, and a prepaid identifier is associated with the call. The prepaid identifier and other call information such as call origin or destination is routed to a prepaid services management system in another network that determines if the call is to be authorized based on, for example, a prepaid subscriber account balance stored at the prepaid services management system. The prepaid identifier can be combined with a number associated with the call origin or destination, and the combination delivered to the prepaid services management system.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure pertains to providing prepaid services in communicationsystems.

BACKGROUND

Wireless communication systems enable subscribers to send and receivecommunications at fixed or mobile locations. Typically wireless networksare configured so that a subscriber is associated with a wirelessnetwork based on a service agreement in according to which thesubscriber receives a set of pre-arranged communication services inreturn for payment of a monthly service charge. Services that are notincluded in the pre-arranged communication services are billed to thesubscriber in addition to the basic monthly service charge. Wirelessnetwork operators generally provide such services to subscribers whoboth elect such service plans and who qualify for such plans. Becausesuch subscribers have significant access to communication servicesprovided by the wireless network, a subscriber can accumulatesignificant network charges during any billing period so that networkoperators typically offer such periodic service plans to subscribershaving acceptable credit histories in order to reduce account losses.

Some potential network subscribers cannot qualify for periodicsubscription services because of unsatisfactory or otherwiseinsufficient credit histories. For example, some potential subscribersare youths who have yet to establish a credit history. In addition, somepotential subscribers prefer to avoid the possibility of incurring thesignificant network charges that are possible with periodic serviceplans. For example, a parent can provide a child with a cell phone foremergency use, but is unable to control the use of the cell phone withthe possibility that playful use by the child brings a substantial billfor network services. One way of accommodating such users is to provideprepaid communication services. A user provides a deposit to pay forservices with a network operator, and the network operator permits theuser to access services until the subscriber deposit is exhausted. Inthis way, the network operator avoids nonpayment risks and thesubscriber caps the total amount spent on network services.

While such prepaid systems offer advantages to both subscribers andnetwork operations, implementation of such systems can be complex asnetwork usage by the prepaid subscriber must be tracked so that theprepaid subscriber cannot exceed the pre-purchased amount or a negativecredit balance limit. Wireless network technologies continue toexperience rapid technical advances, and installed networks must beoperated in conjunction with new, more sophisticated network elements.In addition, newly installed network elements are preferably configuredso that customer services are migrated so that newly installed networkelements support services for existing network subscribers. Accordingly,methods and systems are needed for providing prepaid services tocommunication system subscribers.

SUMMARY

Methods of providing prepaid services in a communication networkcomprise directing a service request to a first mobile network andassociating the request with a prepaid subscriber based on a subscriberprofile stored in the first mobile network. A service authorization isthen requested from a second mobile network. In representative examples,the first mobile network and the second mobile network are configured toconform to a first network protocol and a second network protocol,respectively, and in additional examples, the first network protocol andthe second network protocol are different. In other examples, the firstmobile network provides a prepaid identifier to the second mobilenetwork and in other examples, a prepaid identifier and a mobileidentification number are provided to the second mobile network. Infurther examples, the requested service is authorized based on a prepaidsubscriber account balance stored in the second mobile network. Inadditional examples, a service completion status for the authorizedservice is determined and the service completion status is delivered tothe prepaid system of the second mobile network. In some examples, aservice charge is assessed to the prepaid subscriber account balancebased on the service completion status. In other examples, the servicecharge is not assessed to a prepaid subscriber account balance if theservice request is directed to voice mail or if the requested service isincomplete. In still other examples, the prepaid subscriber accountbalance is insufficient for service authorization, and the prepaidsubscriber is contacted to request account balance replenishment.

A prepaid subscriber management system comprises an input configured toreceive a subscriber identifier and a prepaid identifier. A memory isconfigured to retain prepaid subscriber data, and a processor isconfigured to produce a call authorization based on the prepaidsubscriber data. According to additional representative embodiments, aservice duration timer is included and the processor is configured toinitiate the service duration timer, and the call completionauthorization provided by the processor is configured to expire after aselected service duration.

Network element that comprises n input configured to receive a servicedestination identifier and a prepaid identifier; and a prepaid databaseconfigured to store prepaid account data associated with the servicedestination identifier. A processor is configured to interrogate theprepaid database based on receipt of the prepaid identifier, and toauthorize providing a requested service based on prepaid account dataassociated with the service destination. In additional examples, theinput is configured to communicate with a public switched telephonenetwork.

Methods of providing a communication service to a prepaid subscribercomprise receiving a call request at a first network and associating thecall request with the prepaid subscriber, A request for prepaidsubscriber account information is directed to a second network, and callcompletion is authorized based on the prepaid subscriber accountinformation. In additional representative examples, the call request isassociated with the prepaid subscriber by combining a prepaid identifierwith a destination identifier. In other examples, the call request isassociated with the prepaid subscriber by combining a prepaid identifierwith a source identifier. In further examples, the request for prepaidsubscriber account information is directed to the second network via apublic switched telephone network. In other examples, a service chargeis assessed to a prepaid subscriber account balance.

Methods of paying for communication services comprise associating a callrequest for a selected access location with a prepaid subscriber. Aprepaid identifier and the selected access location are transmitted to aprepaid management system. A call completion authorization is providedbased on a prepaid account status for the selected access location. Inadditional examples, the prepaid identifier and the selected accesslocation are transmitted to the prepaid management system using a publicswitched telephone network and the selected access location is a calldestination or a call source. In other examples, the prepaid identifierand a call access location identifier are combined.

These and other examples and features are set forth below with referenceto the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a communication system thatincludes two wireless networks.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating processing of a call requestto a prepaid subscriber of a wireless network.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating processing of a call requestto a prepaid subscriber of a wireless network

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a method of calling a prepaidsubscriber.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a communication system that includes a homenetwork and a network associated with prepaid services management.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

References to ‘a’ or “an” embodiment or example do not necessarily referto the same embodiment or example although they may. Lines ofcommunication between two points do not necessarily indicate directcommunication between the points, although they may. Communicationsidentified by a single arrow may comprise information communicatedtogether or in separate messages and/or signals. Examples are describedbased on representative communication network standards. Some examplesinclude wireless communication networks configured based on the GlobalSystem for Mobile Communications (GSM), the Digital Advanced MobilePhone Standard (D-AMPS), Interim Standard IS-54 (IS-54), and InterimStandard 136 (IS-136). Signaling between mobile switching centers (MSCs)and other devices and networks can be based on Signaling System 7 (SS7),Interim Standard 51 (IS-51), or other messaging standards or protocols.The examples described below refer to any particular standards forconvenience in illustrating various features.

With reference to FIG. 1, a communication network 100 includes a mobileswitching center (MSC) 102 that is in communication with a GSM MSC 104via a communication link 106. The MSC 102 can be configured based on acommunication standard such as IS-54 or IS-136 that permitscommunication signal multiplexing using time division multiple access(TDMA), and is referred to as the TDMA MSC 102. In the example of FIG.1, the MSCs 102, 104 are configured based on particular communicationstandards such as, for example IS-136, SS7, GSM, or other standards. TheTDMA MSC 102 is in communication with a base station (BS) 108 and anantenna 110 that are configured to communicate with a mobile station 112using an air interface 114. The TDMA MSC 102 is also in communicationwith a public switched telephone network 116 configured forcommunication with a landline telephone 118. In some examples, networksare configured for communication among landline telephones, mobiletelephones and other mobile stations, fax machines, computer networks,laptop computers, personal digital assistants, handheld computers orother devices. The TDMA MSC 102 is in communication with a home locationregister (HLR) 122 that contains subscriber information for subscribersassociated with a wireless network of which the TDMA MSC 102 is a part,and a visitor location register (VLR) 124 that contains informationassociated with network users who are registered on the network on aspecific TDMA MSC such as the TDMA MSC 102. The TDMA MSC 102 is also incommunication with a voice messaging (VMS) system 125 that is configuredto receive and store messages such as messages that are directed to anetwork subscriber at times the subscriber is unavailable.

The GSM MSC 104 is in communication with a GSM prepaid (PPD) subscribermanagement system (GSM PPD) 130 and a GSM service control point (SCP)132. The GSM PPD 130 and the SCP 132 can be implemented in a singlenetwork component 131 as shown in FIG. 1, or in different systems, andcan be situated at the same or different locations. The GSM PPD system130 is configured to store subscriber information for prepaid networksubscribers. Such subscriber information typically includes a currentsubscriber account balance, a renewal date/time at which the accountbalance is forfeited unless the subscriber updates the account balance,and other subscriber information. The GSM PPD system 130 also includessubscriber identifiers so that an account balance associated with aprepaid subscriber can be selected based on subscriber identifiersdelivered by the TDMA MSC 102 to the GSM MSC 104. The SCP 132 isconfigured to deliver an authorization or a denial of service from theGSM PPD 130 to the TDMA MSC 102.

One example of communication using the network 100, the landlinetelephone initiates a call to the mobile station (MS) 112 that isassociated with a prepaid subscriber. The call is directed to the TDMAMSC 102 that retrieves subscriber information from the HLR 122. Based onthe retrieved subscriber information, the TDMA MSC 102 communicates withthe GSM MSC 104 to obtain prepaid subscriber information, such as a callcompletion authorization, from the GSM PPD system 130. The PPD system130 can be configured to grant or deny call completion authorizationbased on a user account balance, a call source, or a call billing rate.In addition, a network element can initiate a call timer so thatdepletion of the subscriber account balance can be tracked so that aconnected call is not permitted to continue absent authorization ofadditional payment or addition of finds to the subscriber accountbalance. In addition, an authorization can be associated with a selectedtime interval after which authorization must be requested again. If theuser does not answer, then the GSM PPD system 130 is informed of thiscondition and may or may not charge for the call depending on durationor other operator specified parameters. In some systems, call completionto a voice mail system is not billed against a user account balance,while in other systems voice mail call completion is billed.

The network 100 can be configured so that prepaid subscriber informationis accessed upon call initiation by a prepaid subscriber and/or callcompletion to a prepaid subscriber. The MS 112 can be configured tocommunicate with the TDMA MSC 102 so that prepaid subscriber informationis retrieved from the GSM PPD system 130 that is associated with the GSMMSC 104. The network 100 of FIG. 1 permits a prepaid subscribermanagement system configured for a particular network or communicationstandard to provide prepaid subscriber information for subscribersassociated with networks that are configured according to otherstandards. Alternatively, prepaid subscriber information can be providedby a PPD system associated with a particular network or MSC, andretrieved by other networks or MSCs.

FIG. 2 illustrates processing of a call to a prepaid subscriber (SUB)206 from, for example, a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 202.An incoming call request 204 from, for example, a landline telephone viathe PSTN 202 to the prepaid subscriber 206 is routed to a TDMA MSC 208.The MSC 208 issues a locate request (LOCREQ) command 210 for the callednumber to a home location register (HLR) 212 that returns a value locreqassociated with on the called number in a communication 214. The valuelocreq includes destination information for the subscriber 206 as wellas a prepaid identifier such as “000” to indicate that the called numberis associated with a prepaid subscriber. If the called number isassociated with postpaid services (such as, for example, a monthlysubscriber), then the call is routed to the subscriber.

Prepaid subscribers are identified based on the value locreq based on,for example, the prepaid identifier “000” prepended to the callednumber. As shown in FIG. 2, prepaid subscriber account information isnot stored in the MSC 208 or the HLR 212, but is instead associated witha GSM network, or a network based on another network standard. The MSC208 establishes a voice communication path 216 to a GSM MSC 218, and anInitial Detection Point (INIT_DP) message 222 is delivered to a GSMservice control point (SCP) 220. The INIT_DP message 222 can bespecified with reference to, for example, “Customized Applications forMobile Network Enhanced Logic (CAMEL) Phase 4; CAMEL Application PartSpecification (Release 5),” 3GPP TS 29.078 v 3.14.0 (2002-12), andtypically includes address and other information related to callrouting, such as, for example, a calling number (CNI,callingPartyNumber), a caller name, a called number (calledPartynumber),or other parameters. The SCP 220 communicates information based on theINIT_DP message 222 to a prepaid subscriber management system (PPDsystem) 224. The PPD system 224 is configured to store and processprepaid subscriber information, such as, for example, a current prepaidaccount balance, and based on the subscriber information, establishes ifa call to the subscriber 206 is to be authorized. If sufficient fundsare not available, then the PPD system returns a message indicating thatthe call is not authorized, and the call can be released.

For call destinations for which adequate funds are available,authorization messages 228, 230 are returned to the GSM SCP 220 and theGSM MSC 218, respectively. The GSM MSC 218 removes the prepaididentifier and directs a call 232 to the TDMA MSC 208. The TDMA MSC 208issues a ring command 234 to a mobile station associated with thesubscriber 206. The MSC 208 determines if the mobile station is busy orrings but does not answer (RNA) based on a communication 236. If themobile station is busy or RNA, then a number transfer request(TRANUMREQ) 238 is directed to the HLR 212. Typically the HLR 212includes a call forwarding number (CFWN) associated with the subscriber206 and a voice mail system (VMS) 240 that includes a subscriber voicemailbox. Based on the CFWN returned by the HLR 212, a voice channel 242is established with the VMS 240 and a message for the subscriber 206 canbe stored. As shown in FIG. 2, the call request 204 is terminated in theVMS 240 and is billed to the prepaid subscriber based on a prepaidsubscriber configuration stored in the PPD system 224. Upon callcompletion, or completion of message delivery to the TMDA VMS 240, acall duration or other billing-related information is returned to thePPD system 224 so that subscriber account balances can be updated.

With reference to FIG. 3, a communication system 300 is configured toestablish a voice channel to a prepaid subscriber and to terminate acall in a voice mail system, if the subscriber is unavailable, withoutbilling the prepaid subscriber. An incoming call 304 from, for example,a PSTN 302 is directed to a TDMA MSC 308 that issues a location request(LOCREQ) 310 for destination information from a TDMA HLR 312. If thecall destination is associated with prepaid service subscriber, then theHLR 312 returns a call destination information message 314 that includesa prepaid service identifier. In a representative example, the message314 is based on a “000” identifier that is prepended to the callednumber. If the message does not contain the prepaid identifier, then thecall is typically associated with a postpaid subscriber destination andcan be completed without contacting a prepaid subscriber managementsystem.

Calls associated with prepaid subscriber destinations are routed to aGSM MSC 318 that delivers a call destination information message to aservice control point (SCP) 330 and a prepaid subscriber managementsystem (PPD system) 334 in messages 322, 326, respectively. The PPDsystem 334 returns an authorization message 328 that includes the callednumber and a prepaid identifier to the SCP 330. Authorizationinformation is delivered in a message 331 to the MSC 318 and in a voicechannel 332 to the TDMA MSC 308. The GSM MSC 318 typically strips theprepaid identifier before delivering the call destination andauthorization to the TDMA MSC 308. The TDMA MSC 308 then directs amessage 334 to the prepaid subscriber 306 to indicate an incoming call.The prepaid subscriber 306 can be unavailable to answer the call, or thecall destination can be busy. In some prepaid systems, calls that arenot completed are not billed so that upon receiving a notification 336that the destination is busy or does not answer, the TDMA MSC 308 againdirects a message 338 to the TDMA HLR 308 that returns a message 340that typically includes the prepaid identifier and a call forwardingnumber (CFWN). Based on the prepaid identifier, the TDMA MSC 308communicates with the GSM MSC 318 over a voice channel 342, and messages352, 356 are delivered to the SCP 330 and the PPD system 334,respectively. The PPD system 334 returns a message 358 authorizing callcompletion to a voicemail system, along with the prepaid identifier andthe CFWN. Because call completion is reclassified as free, accumulationof charges using a billing clock is unnecessary. Call completionauthorization is delivered to the TDMA MSC 308 over a voice channel 362.A voice channel 364 is then established for connection to a TDMA voicemail system 307. As a result, the incoming call is reclassified as afree call and a voice mail message is delivered to the TDMA VMS 307,without charging the prepaid subscriber for voice mail delivery. In someexamples, the called number is not returned to the TDMA MSC 308 in thevoice channel 362, and the caller is prompted to enter a mobileequipment identifier (MIN) associated with the voice mail destination.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method of calling a prepaid subscriber. In a step402, a call is initiated and in a step 404 a home location register(HLR) associated with a subscriber's home network is queried. In a step406, the subscriber type is evaluated to determine if the calldestination is a prepaid destination. If the destination is not aprepaid destination, then the call is completed in a step 407. If thedestination is a prepaid destination, then a prepaid network MSC iscontacted in a step 408. Based on, for example, available billingcredits, an account balance, a call source or call type, or otherfactors, a determination of whether to authorize call completion isperformed at the prepaid network in a step 410. If the call is notauthorized, then the call can be terminated in a step 411.Alternatively, delivery of a call indication can be selected in a step413, so that a prepaid subscriber can be notified so that an accountbalance can be replenished and subsequent calls or the current call canbe completed. After the account balance is selected for replenishment ona step 420, call authorization is again requested in the step 410. Ifthe subscriber elects not to replenish his account, the call terminatesin the step 411. If the call is authorized, then the call destination iscontacted in a step 412. In a step 414, call status is evaluated todetermine if the destination is busy or rings but does not answer (RNA).If the destination is busy, RNA, or is otherwise unavailable, the callcan be directed to a voicemail system, with or without billing theprepaid subscriber for call completion to a voice mailbox. In a step416, the prepaid network is contacted and in a step 418, the billingrequest is cancelled. In a step 420 the call to a busy or RNAdestination is directed to a voice mail system. Typically the voice mailsystem is associated with the subscriber home network, and the home HLRis queried for information concerning contacting the voice mail system,such as, for example, a call forwarding number or a voice mailboxidentifier. If the destination answers in the step 414, then the call iscompleted in a step 415.

In representative examples, a prepaid subscriber management system isincluded in a network based on a GSM standard, and an IS-136 orotherwise configured network provides prepaid services based on a GSMprepaid subscriber management system. In some examples, the GSM-basednetwork is configured to communicate with additional GSM-based networksor other networks according to a Customized Applications for MobileNetwork Enhanced Logic (CAMEL) signaling protocol. FIG. 5 is a schematicdiagram of a communication system 500 that includes a home wirelessnetwork 501 and a prepaid management wireless network 503. The homewireless network 501 includes a home MSC 502, an HLR 522, and a voicemessaging system 525. The prepaid management wireless network 503 isconfigured based on a GSM standard and includes a CAMEL processor 510and a prepaid subscriber management system (PPD system) 530. The CAMELprocessor 510 is configured for signaling between other GSM-basednetworks or networks based on other standards. The communication system500 supports communications between, for example, a mobile station 512associated with a prepaid subscriber and a landline telephone 518 usinga public switched telephone network 516. The HLR 522 includes subscriberinformation that identifies prepaid subscribers so that the home MSC 502communicates with the prepaid MSC 504 to obtain call authorization fromthe PPD system 530. Typically, authorization of call completion alsostarts a billing clock so that re-authorization is requested before asubscriber account balance is depleted. For calls that terminate in nocharge destinations such as, for example, a voicemail system, a call toa busy destination or a destination that does not answer can be returnedto the PPD system 530 before (or after) the call is completed tovoicemail so that such calls are not charged to the subscriber.

In a representative example, prepaid subscriber information is stored ina prepaid system configured for communication with a GSM mobileswitching center, but the associated call (or origin) destination isaccessed via a TDMA mobile switching center. Other networkconfigurations can be associated with a home network and a prepaidnetwork. For example, the home network can be a GSM-based network whilea prepaid subscriber management system is associated with a TDMAnetwork. In some examples, prepaid subscribers are billed fororiginating calls, receiving calls, call forwarding to voicemail, and/orcall retrieval from voicemail. In other examples, services are providedto postpaid subscribers based on a credit limit established at a prepaidmanagement system. These and other examples are illustrative. Manyalternative examples will be apparent to those skilled in the art, andthe described examples should not be taken as limiting in scope. Rather,we claim all that comes within the scope of the following claims andequivalents thereto.

1. A method of providing prepaid services in a communication network,comprising: directing a service request to a first mobile network;associating the request with a prepaid subscriber based on a subscriberprofile stored in the first mobile network; requesting a serviceauthorization for the requested service from a second mobile network;and receiving the service authorization from the second mobile network,wherein the service authorization is associated with a selected timeinterval after which service authorization must be requested from thesecond mobile network again.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstmobile network and the second mobile network are configured to conformto a first network protocol and a second network protocol, respectively.3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first network protocol and thesecond network protocol are different.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinthe first mobile network provides a prepaid identifier to the secondmobile network.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the prepaid identifierand a mobile identification number are provided to the second mobilenetwork.
 6. The method of claim 4, further comprising verifying thatprepaid subscriber account balance is insufficient for serviceauthorization, and contacting the prepaid subscriber to request accountbalance replenishment.
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein the prepaididentifier identifies a prepaid subscriber group.
 8. The method of claim4, further comprising authorizing the requested service based on aprepaid subscriber account balance stored in the second mobile network.9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: determining a servicecompletion status for the authorized service; and delivering the servicecompletion status to the prepaid system.
 10. The method of claim 9,further comprising assessing a service charge to the prepaid subscriberaccount balance based on the service completion status.
 11. The methodof claim 10, wherein the service charge is not assessed to a prepaidsubscriber account balance if the service request is directed to voicemail.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the service charge is notassessed to a prepaid subscriber account balance if the requestedservice is not completed.
 13. A network element, comprising: an inputconfigured to receive a service destination identifier and a prepaididentifier; a prepaid database configured to store prepaid account dataassociated with the service destination identifier; and a processorconfigured to interrogate the prepaid database based on receipt of theprepaid identifier, and to authorize providing a requested service basedon prepaid account data associated with the service destination, whereinthe authorization for the requested serviced includes a time intervalafter which service authorization must be requested from the secondmobile network again.
 14. The network element of claim 13, furthercomprising a service duration timer, wherein the processor is configureto initiate the service duration timer, and the call completionauthorization is configured to expire after a selected service duration.15. The network element of claim 13, wherein the input is configured tocommunicate with a public switched telephone network.
 16. The networkelement of claim 13, wherein the processor is configured to receive theprepaid identifier prepended to a service destination identifier andassociate the requested service with a prepaid subscriber based on theprepended prepaid identifier.
 17. The network element of claim 13,wherein the prepaid identifier is “000” and is prepended to the servicedestination identifier.
 18. The network element of claim 13, wherein theprepaid identifier identifies a prepaid subscriber group.